Improvement in earth-closets



W. A. JORDAN.

Improvement in Ea rth-Closets.

NO. 129,480. Patented July 16, 187.2.

Minimums. \mruvtov UNITED STATES WILLIAM A. JORDAN, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN EARTH-CLOSETS.-

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 129,480, dated July 16, 1872.

Be it known to whom it may concern:

That I, WILLIAM A. JORDAN, of the city of New Orleans and State of Louisiana, have made certain Improvements in Earth-Closets; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing making a part of this specifiation.

My improvement relates to that class of earth-closets which is designed to precipitate finely-pulverized deodorizing substances, such as are in general use for disinfecting purposes. It is designed that the precipitation of the deodorizing substances employed shall also be in regular and proper quantities and at the proper period of time, to the end of securing an effectual deodorization of the excretadeposited in the portable receptacle beneath the closet by the thorough neutralization and absorption of the gases emitted therefrom, with a view to render unobjectionable in residences,

' public buildings, or elsewhere those necessary conveniences which, under the old system of privy-vaults, are so obnoxious to the senses ind so detrimental to human health and comort.

The improvements embraced in my device are exceedingly simple in their construction and mechanical arrangements as well as effective in their operations.

The hopper containing the deodorizin g substance is placed upon the cover of the seat, and through a perforation therein made it is made to deliver from its lower extremity, at the proper time, a sufficient quantity of said substance to effect the deodorization required. The disinfectant material thus delivered by the hopper above mentioned is thrown upon the newly-deposited fecal matter with positive and unfailing certainty, by means of a novel and ingeniously-contrived mechanical device, which will be hereinafter described.

The results above indicated are accomplished in a manner which economizes the material employed, and thus prevents any unnecessary waste of valuable disinfectants. The character of my invention will, however, be more clearly understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, which amply illustrates its several and separate parts.

Figure l is a sectional view of the whole 7 device, showing the lid or seat of the closet with the deodorizin g hopper attached thereto raised or thrown back, while Fig. 2 is also a sectional elevation of the same, showing the seat and hopper closed down. Fig. 3 is a perspective of the interior disinfectant-receptacle removed from the chamber in which it is designed to operate.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A is the hopper or receptacle, which is securely fixed to the lid or cover B of the seat of the closet G. The interior of this hopper is made circular, as shown, and contains a cylindrical wood and sieve-woven wire receptacle, D, of a diameter considerably less than that within which it is placed, so that when the said cover B and hopper A are raised or lowered this wire receptacle, which is made to contain the deodorizing substance, will freely revolve within the said receptacle A and thereby throw out, when thus agitated, the disinfectant therein contained. The disinfectant thus thown out will, when the lid is closed down, be discharged through the opening E and upon the excreta deposited within the vessel beneath the seat placed there for its reception. Springs F are so placed upon the device as to secure a shaking or vibratory motion to the hopper of chamber A and re.- ceptacle D, when these, by being raised or lowered, and thereby suddenly thrown into contact therewith, are made instrumental in throwing out the disinfectant-powder both from the interior receptacle D and likewise what may be temporarily lodged within the chamber A. G is a hinged or pivoted step attached to the closet O,which,for the purposes of economizing space, may be folded up while in a room and not used, or for the purpose of packing more closely for transportation. The links H will hold the same in its proper position when let down to be used as a rest for the feet of the occupant. The agitation of the deodorizing substances produced by the forward and backward revolutions of the interior receptacle D, when the lid and hopper are raised and lowered, is exceedingly necessary, as experience in the use of these substances has amply demonstrated, to the end of preventing their tendency to solidification or compactness, which is a very probable result when allowed for any considerable period of time to remain stationary and undisturbed. The breaking and shaking up of the disinfectant in the manner above indicated insures, moreover, its unfailing and free delivery from the receptacle in which it is contained through the wire meshes thereof in a sprinkled or scattered condition upon the fecal matter, where it is designed to be deposited. The sprinkling or scattering of the disinfectant-powder effected simultaneously with the time of its delivery from the receptacle in which it is contained by the revolutions thereof, in the manner indicated, is a novel, essential, and an advantageous feature of my device, in securing a thorough commingling of the said disinfectant-powder with, and consequent neutralization of the gases arising from the excreta, and a final precipitation of the said powder with the gases thus absorbed upon the solid and liquid fecal matter remaining within the closet. It will be plainly evident to any intelligent mechanic familiar with the character to which this, my device, relates, that the configuration and mechanical construction or the hopper A, and likewise that of the interior deodorizing-receptacle D, may be materially sire to secureby Letters Patent is the followmg: g

1. The pivoted receptacle or chamber A, having an independent movable interior receptacle, D, substantially as described, and for the purposes herein specified.

2. The receptacle A and interior receptacle D in combination with a closet, substantiallyv as and for the purposes specified.

WM. A. JORDAN. Witnesses:

L. J. OLMSTEAD,

H. T. HAMMETT. 

